Customs and Police Thwart Smuggling of 27 Kilos of Meth from Malaysia-Meranti Network
The Riau Regional Customs Office and Bengkalis Customs, working together with the Meranti Islands Police Resort’s Narcotics Subdirectorate, thwarted an international Malaysia-Meranti narcotics smuggling operation on Monday (27/4/2026).
Head of Bengkalis Customs, Novryansyah, explained that the narcotics enforcement began on Sunday (26/4/2026) when customs officers received information about a large shipment of narcotics from Batu Pahat, Malaysia.
Customs then collaborated with the Meranti Islands Police Resort to form a joint team and conduct sea patrols, using two Bengkalis Customs patrol boats and one vessel from the Narcotics Subdirectorate and Water Police of the Meranti Islands Police Resort.
On Monday (27/4/2026), the joint team intercepted the target speedboat passing through the Selat Akar waters.
The enforcement effort initially did not go smoothly, as the target resisted by attempting to ram the patrol boat even after warning shots were fired, but the joint team ultimately secured the target speedboat.
“This enforcement reaffirms the synergy and firmness of the apparatus in breaking the chain of narcotics distribution in Indonesia,” Novryansyah emphasised in a statement on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
From the search of the speedboat, the joint team found evidence consisting of 17 large packages of meth in a black backpack, 10 large packages of meth in a blue plastic bag, 260 cartridges suspected to contain Etomidate, and 2 mobile phones.
The joint team also apprehended two men acting as sea couriers, namely M (26) and S (38).
It is estimated that this enforcement has saved approximately 135,260 lives from the dangers of drug abuse. Additionally, this action has the potential to save state funds for health rehabilitation costs amounting to Rp120.68 billion.
“Currently, the suspects and all evidence have been handed over to the Narcotics Subdirectorate of the Meranti Islands Police Resort for further development. Customs will continue to enhance surveillance and strengthen inter-agency synergy to safeguard national security and sovereignty from threats of dangerous goods,” Novryansyah concluded.